The opening faceoff of the 2013 Women’s Frozen Four semifinal between Minnesota and Boston College. (Photo: Kat Hasenauer Cornetta)
You have probably been watching some morning Olympic women’s hockey games and want to learn more about the players you’re watching. Well, you are in luck. I’ve watched a lot of women’s hockey over the past few years, and for the last two, I have written about it. Here is a quick guide to some relevant pieces of mine that will help you learn more about the women’s hockey you are watching.
I spoke to US head coach Katey Stone and several members of her squad for an overall preview of their Olympic hopes. I also spoke to Stone when things weren’t looking too good for the US team this past fall.
Want to learn more about Kendall Coyne, who scored two goals Monday morning against Switzerland? Here’s a feature I did on her before her sophomore season at Northeastern University that speaks about her amazing work ethic.
You may have heard NBC commentators talk about Coyne playing with amazing Swiss goalie Florence Schelling (she really is one of the best you’ll ever see) at Northeastern. Here’s my story from their 2012 overtime women’s Beanpot win.
I’ve had quite a few chances to interview Alex Carpenter, who has a goal a game so far in the Olympics. Here’s a profile of her sophomore campaign at Boston College, and here’s an Olympic preview piece I wrote about her last week.
Amazed by the USA’s Amanda Kessel and Finland goaltender Noora Raty? I watched them play for the University of Minnesota last year as they closed out their undefeated season with a NCAA Championship. Here is some of my coverage. More can be found on my clips page.
You may have heard that the US and Canadian teams have quite the rivalry and have had some all out brawls in some pre-Olympic games. Here’s a piece I wrote this fall about a referee’s take on fights in women’s hockey.
Besides Stone, there are quite a few Harvard connections on this US Olympic hockey team. Here’s a piece I wrote about those connections.
Have questions about what you’re watching? Need someone knowledgeable to comment on women’s hockey? You are always welcome to email me or Tweet me (@sportsgirlkat). I am always happy to answer questions when I have the time.
Also, I urge you to seek out the work of the following media members who cover women’s hockey outside of Olympic years. I understand it’s easy to turn to higher profile writers who are currently paying attention to the Olympic tournament, but there are many writers out there who have devoted a lot of time to covering the sport and can offer some nuanced commentary. Here are their Twitter handles:
– Gabs Fundaro, The Hockey Writers
– Nicole Hasse, SBNation’s Bucky’s 5th Quarter
– Matthew Semisch, every publication on the face of humanity
– Arielle Aronson, New England Hockey Journal
– Candace Horgan, USCHO (USCHO also has a great women’s hockey writer named Arlan Marttila who I don’t think is on Twitter.)